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DRIVING NEED
YOUNG Brits race to get behind the wheel. Britons are
buying their first set of wheels almost a decade younger than their
parents, despite the ever-increasing cost of car maintenance.
According to research out from car insurer easyMoney.com, today's
young Brits have their first set of wheels by the time they turn 20,
compared to their parents who weren't on the road until their 29th
birthday.
But far from a generation of spoiled little darlings rising through
the ranks, 42% of young Brits buy their own first car, with 25%
relying on Mum and Dad to fund the purchase. And it's not
cheap, today's generation of first-time drivers are shelling
out an average of £5,350 on their first car, with 80%
of these purchases being 2nd-hand motors.
36% of young Brits say the number 1 deterrent
from buying their first car is the high running cost and no wonder
when the average spent by car owners to keep their motor on the road
is £130* a
month. Harking back to the days of Grease and The Wild One, a
new ride is considered the most important purchase for 31% of
Britain's youth with the same group sacrificing a social life just
to afford their motor.
In a bid to afford their first new car, 29% young
Britons sacrifice going out with their friends, 32% give up buying
new clothes and 25% forgo such must-haves as the iPod.
Meanwhile, 7% consider taking up a 2nd or 3rd job to afford their
first car and 5% cut back on dating.
This need for speed has a variety of sources - 22% are driven by
sex, believing a cool car renders them more attractive to the
opposite sex. This could result in disappointment though as
just 8% of the 870 women polled found boy racers attractive.
28% still believe a car directly benefits their love life and 62%
feel that a car enhances their social life. In fact, 14% consider
not having a car as a total embarrassment while 13% see using public
transport as utterly humiliating. 10% meanwhile feel inspired
by the silver screen, feeling the best film and TV characters have
cool cars.
easyMoney.com spokesman, Stelios said:- "I was personally
surprised that youngsters are willing to make so many sacrifices in
order to be able to afford a car. I find it ironic that although
many want a car because they feel it will improve their social life,
a significant portion are also willing to do less socializing in
order to save money for a car! Anyway, at least I am glad that I can
make a small difference in their lives by making car insurance more
affordable."
How far for your car?
The luxuries young Britons are sacrificing for their first set of
wheels
1. Clothes (24%)
2. Going out with friends (32%)
3. CDs and DVDs (28%)
4. Buying alcohol (23%)
5. Booking holidays (21%)
6. Gifts for friends and family (15%)
7. Make-up (11%)
8. Books (10%)
9. Food (6%)
10. Dating (5%)
| Region |
Age bought 1st car |
Age parent 1st car |
Would cut down on going
out |
| London |
23 |
29 |
20 |
| Midlands |
23 |
30 |
20 |
| East Anglia |
23 |
26 |
19 |
| Wales |
25 |
33 |
18 |
| South West |
23 |
29 |
23 |
| South |
23 |
28 |
22 |
| Lancashire |
24 |
29 |
32 |
| North East |
24 |
30 |
20 |
| Yorkshire |
24 |
29 |
22 |
| Central Scotland |
25 |
33 |
16 |
| North Scotland |
26 |
26 |
23 |
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DIVE WITH SHARKS FOR
CHARITY
ARE YOU looking for a real
challenge? If you are then here is an idea you might find
interesting. Why not take the plunge and learn how to scuba dive -
in a tank full of Stingrays, Moray eels and 10 foot long Sharks!
Many people from all over the UK have already tried this exciting
event and were thrilled at their achievement. Now more places are
available so
that you can come face to face with these creatures of the deep
after a leading medical research charity has arranged these aquarium
based ‘Discover Scuba’ diving sessions.
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is inviting local readers to book a
place and raise the minimum sponsorship of just £320 to get a FREE
dive.
Charles Horton, Regional Fundraising Manager for the charity says:-
“This is an ideal opportunity for beginners to learn the
basics of scuba diving. Anyone over eighteen can take part in this
breath-taking event, even with no previous experience. Coming so
close to the inhabitants of the deep is the ultimate challenge. It’s
a very unique opportunity that will also help us raise income to
fund a possible cure for muscle disease”.
The dives take place on various dates in the coming months at the
Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, which has been
voted by Sky Travel as one of the top 10 places in the world to dive
with sharks.
If the idea appeals to you, then contact the Regional Office of the
Muscular Dystrophy Campaign on 01244 403012 for an information pack
or email your details to
charlesh@muscular-dystrophy.org.
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